It's Washington Capitals hockey, all day, all night, all the time . . . or when I get around to it

Friday, April 06, 2012

Number Three

If neither Tomas Vokoun (groin) nor Michal Neuvirth (who apparently suffered a knee injury in last night’s game against Florida) is able to return to the lineup for a while, few folks will give the Washington Capitals much of a chance to go far in the playoffs. Teams with their number three goalie on the depth chart having to step in to the lineup are not expected to have what it takes at the most important position on the ice in the post season.

The Washington Capitals, however, are probably in better shape than most when it comes to enduring assaults to their goaltending depth. If one takes a look at how other playoff-eligible teams might have to deploy goalies if reduced to their third string goaltender, here is what it looks like (selections with no NHL games are based on AHL games experience):

WE INTERRUPT OUR REGULARLY SCHEDULED PROGRAMMING

The Washington Capitals enter the 2016-2017 as one of 12 franchises in the NHL never to win a Stanley Cup. Of that group, only the St. Louis Blues (48 seasons), Buffalo Sabres (45 seasons), and Vancouver Canucks (45 seasons) have gone longer never having won a Cup than the Capitals (41 seasons). Six teams came into the league after the Capitals entered the league in 1974-1975 and have won Stanley Cups: Colorado Rockies/New Jersey Devils (1976-1977), Edmonton Oilers (1979-1980), Quebec Nordiques/Colorado Avalanche (1979-1980), Hartford Whalers/Carolina Hurricanes (1979-1980), Tampa Bay Lightning (1992-1993), and the Anaheim Ducks (1993-1994).

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